THERE was a moment shortly after kick-off at Celtic Park when, with the tackles still flying and the skirmishes raging, the shift in emphasis in Jack Wilshere's England career was neatly encapsulated.

Jack Wilshere (right) impressed in an England shirt against Scotland this week

The midfielder found himself trading insults with Steven Naismith in the aftermath of one early clash, verbals going back and forth, when the spat was choked in its infancy. Wilshere opted to let his feet do the talking instead.

Not simply with the fabulous driven pass which allowed Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to open the scoring against the auld enemy, but in the manner in which he accepted responsibility for controlling the quick tempo of England's performance from midfield as they made it six wins out of six since the summer debacle.

The noise surrounding Wilshere's international fortunes no longer focuses on what he is not doing in an England jersey, but generated by those feats he is conjuring.

"In my first year-and-a-half with the team, we were always saying, 'What a pity we don't have Jack Wilshere, wouldn't it be nice if Jack was fit'," said England coach Roy Hodgson. "It's only been since the lead-up to the World Cup and afterwards that I've had this period with him where I can always count on him being there.

"Right from the start we could see what he does with the ball. He takes responsibility in receiving balls from the back, even under pressure, and has the ability to turn with the ball and the ability to see a pass.

"Jack's been excellent. He's still young. He can still play for the Under-21s. When he burst on the scene a very bright future was predicted for him but then he got injured.

"All he needs to add to his game to be totally outstanding is goals. I thought he got one [against Scotland] but he managed to hook it wide like one of my golf shots."

All he needs to add to his game to be totally outstanding is goals

Roy Hodgson

Hodgson's humour reflects where he feels England are at. A new team is beginning to emerge with Nathaniel Clyne now in possession of the right-back jersey, Luke Shaw breathing down Leighton Baines' neck, Danny Welbeck an effective foil to Wayne Rooney and, right at the heart of the matter, there is Wilshere.

Being in the right place at the right time is part of his task and in that sense the retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have cleared a pathway from which he can realise his potential. Remember, too, Hodgson had been looking to play Michael Carrick in Tuesday's friendly until a groin injury forced him back onto the sidelines, and so Wilshere's ability to seize the moment was important.

Scotland was Wilshere's seventh straight start and to put that into context, it took him three years to win his first seven caps, partly due to injury but also competition for places.

Sterner tests undoubtedly lie ahead, but what is particularly impressive about Wilshere's current form is that it has come while he is learning new disciplines and different rules. He had never played as a midfield anchorman before the opening Euro 2016 qualifier with Switzerland and does not benefit from brushing up on the demands role in between international get-togethers at Arsenal.

Interestingly, Wilshere has tried to nudge Arsene Wenger into following Hodgson's lead, but thus far the Frenchman is not for budging.

"I'm really enjoying it," said Wilshere. "I've said after the first game in Switzerland that I'd only get better and better. It was my first game ever playing in that role.

"The main thing is the coaches are getting their points across in terms of what they want me to do, not just over here but when we're away from here.

"We're working on it, because I don't play that role for my club, but I am really enjoying it.

"I wouldn't mind playing it at Arsenal and I've already spoke to the manager about it and he doesn't see me playing that role just yet. I enjoy my role for Arsenal as well because I can get a bit further forward, but I wouldn't mind to play the holding role."

GETTY

Wilshere has scored just one in 21 appearances for Arsenal and England this season

Can he change Wenger's mind? "That's his decision," he said. "At the moment I think Arteta is injured and Flamini is playing that role. It's down to him. If he wants me to play there, I'll play it."

For the time being, it is enough he is enjoying his best run of form in an England jersey since announcing himself in the wake of a disappointing World Cup, this time in 2010.

Before he left Glasgow, Wilshere was informed his pass for club-mate Oxlade-Chamberlain's headed opener was his first assist at international level.

Quick as a flash he shot back, smiling broadly as he did so: "Well if that's true, I've got Wazza to blame because against Estonia he could have had six!"